Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that all proposals for a settlement of the war in Ukraine remain on the table, while making clear that Moscow will consider what it believes is in Russia’s interests.
Putin’s comments came as the United States continued efforts to restart diplomatic discussions involving Russia and Ukraine. The renewed activity has opened the possibility of further talks, but there is still no agreement on a ceasefire or a wider peace settlement.
Putin said Russia had been ready to resume negotiations with Kyiv after Russia’s parliamentary elections the previous week. He also accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on Moscow and on polling stations, saying the attacks had changed the situation. Putin said Russia would respond.
His remarks did not amount to an acceptance of any specific peace proposal. He did not announce a new ceasefire, a date for negotiations or an agreement with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States had proposed technical level talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States. Zelenskyy said Washington had suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible location and that Kyiv was waiting for the United States to provide a date.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow remains open to resuming trilateral negotiations, although there is no confirmed date for the proposed meeting.
The discussions are part of renewed US efforts to reopen a diplomatic process that has so far failed to produce an agreement. US officials have recently held discussions with both Moscow and Kyiv, while President Donald Trump has also met Zelenskyy in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.
The United States has been promoting several measures aimed at reducing the fighting. These include a possible halt to attacks on energy infrastructure and efforts to reopen a Black Sea corridor for grain and other agricultural exports.
Ukraine has said it is prepared to consider an energy ceasefire. Russian officials have continued to stress that Moscow wants a broader and lasting settlement rather than only a temporary pause in fighting.
Territory remains one of the main disputes in the negotiations. Russia has maintained demands concerning territory and security arrangements, while Ukraine has rejected Russian demands.
The diplomatic activity has taken place alongside continued Russian and Ukrainian attacks.
Ukrainian authorities reported deadly Russian strikes in Kyiv and other areas on Friday. The United Nations said the latest attacks had killed at least a dozen civilians, including three children, and injured more than 100 others across several regions, based on information from Ukrainian authorities.
The United Nations has called for urgent de escalation leading to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. UN officials have also warned that more civilians were killed or injured in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026 than during the whole of 2025.
The United Nations has stressed the need for a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zelenskyy has meanwhile sought wider international support for diplomatic efforts. He said he had urged Trump to seek help from Chinese President Xi Jinping in using Beijing’s influence with Moscow to support efforts to end the war.
That does not mean China has agreed to take part in mediation or accepted a specific role in the negotiations.
For now, the latest developments point to increased diplomatic activity rather than a breakthrough. Russia says peace proposals remain open for consideration, while Ukraine says it is ready for further technical discussions and the United States is working to bring the two sides back into a negotiating process.
There is still no confirmed date for the proposed trilateral meeting, no comprehensive ceasefire and no peace agreement. Fighting continues while major disagreements over territory, security arrangements and the terms of a final settlement remain unresolved.